The Rolling Stones Jamaican Recipe: Goats Head Soup

Having individually worn out their welcome in a number of countries around the world

, the Rolling Stones reconvened in the one country that would let them all in to record their follow up to their most critically acclaimed album to date, Exile on Main Street. That country was Jamaica, and the album that came from that trip is the oddly titled, Goats Head Soup. Odd as the title may have been, the album was a success, even with all the pressure on them to come up with a follow up to their massive double album, Exile on Main Street.

By the time the Rolling Stones met up again in 1972, it had been over six months since they had played together. There was some concern about how long it would take for them to gel again as unit, but the doubts were unfounded. It was apparent that their time off had not hurt their playing at all, as was evidenced by their first jam session at Dynamic Sound Studios, Kingston, Jamaica.

Recording for Goats Head Soup, was a much more concise effort. Where, Exile on Main Street, was recorded in short sessions, spaced out over weeks, Goats Head Soup was to be more of a linear, uninterrupted affair. The work on the album proceeded quickly, even though there were a lot of tracks to record for the album; considering that Exile on Main Street was written and recorded between 1968 and 1972. The Rolling Stones also decided to make use of all the local talent, in and around, Jamaica, which created a unique environment to play in.

Angie, was chosen as the pick for the lead off single for the album. To the band, the song was an obvious choice as a single, but as usual, the record executives thought they knew better and wanted more of a 'rocking' song to kick off the album. The band persisted and Angie went to number one on the Billboard Top 100. There has long been a rumor that the song was about David Bowie's first wife, Angela, and all that implies. As usual, the truth is a much simpler affair. It turns out that it was merely Keith singing about his then unborn daughter. He had no idea it would be a female, but just broke out singing, "Angie, Angie." When he did eventually have a daughter, she was named, Dandelion. The catholic hospital at which Dandelion was born, insisted that she have a middle name, and so Angela was chosen for her.

The Olympic studios in London and another location in Los Angeles, were where the final editing and mixing of the album was completed in 1973. On August 31, 1973, the album was officially released. It turned out to be yet another hit record for the Rolling Stones, as it topped both the American and English charts. Comparisons to Exile on Main Street were made, and reviews were quite mixed to begin with. The album is a much darker and mellow affair than their previous work, and that caught some off guard. Goats Head Soup is now judged on its own merits, rather than against the Rolling Stones previous music, and it is better received now, after some years have passed. It is definitely a very different body of work than previous records and requires repeated listens to fully grasp the depth of the music. The enduring quality of the musicianship seems to have been received by the public, though, as to date the record has been certified platinum three times.

by: Robert Nickel

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